BBC TV Legend Found in His Shed One Day After Receiving a Heartbreaking Letter
Renowned illustrator and BAFTA-winning television figure Daniel Postgate was discovered in a shed beside his home in Whitstable, England, earlier this year.
He was 61. New details now reveal that he received a deeply upsetting letter just one day before the incident.
Postgate, known for his work on beloved children’s programs such as Bagpuss, had recently gone through the end of a 35-year relationship.
Shortly after, he was informed he was facing myelodysplastic syndrome, a serious blood condition, according to The Sun.
An inquest later confirmed that Postgate had previously undergone intensive treatment for aplastic anaemia in 2019.
In a note addressed to his family, he referenced receiving a letter from the NHS about his medical condition.
His family told officials that Daniel — always thoughtful and detail-oriented — would have examined every word carefully, and they believe this letter deeply affected him.
One family member described it as “the final weight on his shoulders.”
Postgate had already been through one round of chemotherapy. In his handwritten message, he expressed concerns that his illness might not improve.
He also shared loving words with his family:
“I hope you all have wonderful lives, and remember to love each other.”
Two days before the incident, his brother Simon visited him. He said Daniel seemed calm and conversational, but also noted that he had lived with long-term depression for nearly four decades.
Coroner Sarah Clarke later explained that, based on the evidence, she believed Postgate made a personal decision about how to handle his health challenges.
She emphasized that there is rarely a simple explanation for such moments, and that his feelings about continued treatment appeared to weigh heavily on him.
Postgate became the head of Smallfilms in 2008 after the passing of his father, Oliver Postgate.
The company created iconic British children’s shows, including Bagpuss, which earned a BAFTA Children’s Award in 2015. Daniel himself was nominated for Best Writer the following year.
Most recently, he had been working on bringing Bagpuss to the big screen, with a planned release in 2027.
Smallfilms released a heartfelt tribute:
“We are truly saddened by the loss of our dear friend and guardian of all things Smallfilms, Daniel Postgate.
He was kind, brilliant, and cherished by everyone who knew him. Our thoughts are with his family during this difficult time.”
Daniel Postgate leaves behind a remarkable legacy of creativity, warmth, and storytelling that shaped generations.
May he be remembered for the imagination and joy he brought into the world.
